Clubmark logo Cleveland Schools Orienteering Association
sponsored by the Tees Forest
invites schools to participate in the third event of the 2004-05 league at
Preston Park
on Wednesday, 16th March 2005
 CLOK logo

Directions: Leave the A66 at the A135, Stockton-Yarm road, and travel south towards Eaglescliffe for 1 km.  Preston Park is on the left.
Timing: Start times are available from 2.15 to 5.15 p.m.   It is recommended that, because of anticipated large numbers of competitors, all start times are reserved in advance by telephoning Mike on 01287-624521, preferably by Friday 11th March.  If there is no reply then please leave a message on the answer phone.

It then becomes your responsibility to get runners to the start on time, as it may be quite difficult to re-arrange start times on the day.  Typical running times are from 10 minutes (best primary school runners) to 70 minutes (slowest secondary school runners).
Press: We hope that a press photographer from the Gazette will be present.  Please let me know on the day if you have any objections to the children for whom you are responsible being photographed at the event.
Tees Valley Games: The inter-district orienteering section of the Tees Valley Games is to be held at Summerhill on Saturday 18-Jun-2005.  Entry is by invitation only and teams will be selected using schools competitions results.
Prior notice: Please ring Mike (01287-624521) as soon as you can with your best estimate of numbers for each course.  This allows us to prepare your welcome pack with the correct number of maps, control descriptions and control cards, together with any on-the-day instructions.
Cost: £1.00 per runner.  This may be paid on the day or invoiced to school each term.
Format: There will be three courses.  The White course is designed for primary school runners in years 5 and 6 and generally follows paths.  White course runners may compete singly or in pairs.  The Orange course is for secondary school runners in years 7, 8 and 9 and requires more map reading ability.  The Light Green course for years 10 and 11 requires competence both in map reading and in route choice.  Compasses may be useful on the Light Green course.

Preston Park consists of open parkland with some small wooded areas.  The ground is predominantly flat and has a strong network of paths.  On the east side it slopes down towards the River Tees (see risk analysis).  There is a toilet block near the cafe.  The map is the usual six-colour orienteering map, at a scale of 1:5000 (1cm = 50 metres), newly updated for this event by Jon Williams.  The maps will be pre-marked with the courses, and bagged.

On the map, the courses are marked as follows.  The start is shown by a red triangle.  The controls, which must be visited in their numbered sequence, are marked by red circles.  The finish is shown by a double circle.  On the ground, controls are marked with red and white kites identified by two letters corresponding to the letters on the control description sheets.  At the control there is also a pin punch which must be used to clip the control card in the numbered box to confirm that the control has been visited.

All competitors will receive a control card, a control description list and a pre-marked map.

We would prefer inexperienced runners to run down a course, or run in pairs, rather than have a terrible time on a course too hard for them.  It is thus acceptable to run the course designed for the age group, or an easier or harder one depending on ability.
Results: Results will be displayed on a washing line at the finish and faxed or emailed to schools as soon as possible after the event.  They will also be published on the CLOK web page.  Either go to www.clok.org.uk and follow the link to the Schools orienteering section or go directly to www.clok.org.uk/Schools.  There will be certificates for the first three individuals and the first two schools on each course and a league trophy for the first school in the three sections, and for the first Redcar and Cleveland school, awarded on the basis of the seven events in the series.
Scoring: The winner on each course gains 50 points, the next 49, the next 48 and so on.  Those running down a class gain half points, as do those running in pairs on the Orange and Light Green courses.  The best six scores from a school count towards the competition.  The winning school on each course gains 5 league points, the second 4, and so on.  The Annual League is scored over 7 events, two each in the Autumn and Spring terms, and three in the Summer term.
Risk Analysis: Injuries - A first aid kit is at the finish, and a trained first aider is on site.  Injured runners should return directly to the finish or, if this is impractical, stop the next passing competitor or event patroller (who is equipped with a two way radio) and send him/her back immediately to report the incident.

Safety Check - Each competitor has a control card with a stub.  The card accompanies the runner on the course and the stub is handed in at the start.  Stubs and cards are matched by the results team to ensure all competitors are back and that no-one has been out too long.  Do not detach the stub from the card before starting.

General Public - There is no reason for any competitor to respond to members of the general public not known to them, and such responses should be discouraged by the supervising teacher.  During the event the competition area will be patrolled by member(s) of CLOK who will have an orienteering map and a two-way radio.  They will ensure fair play and deal with any problems.

Hazards - The area is bounded to the east by the River Tees, to the north and south by clear fencing, and to the west by the A135.  There are three deep ponds in the area, and one major lake.  The courses will be planned not to visit these potentially hazardous areas except where there are clear bridges or paths, and it is recommended that this is pointed out to competitors on the day.  In particular the River Tees is deep and fast flowing, and competitors should have no reason to be close to the banks.

Competitors who wish to retire should make their way to the finish on one of the well marked tracks leading to it.  The finish will be in the area of the car park and the Visitor Centre.

Traffic - The area is free from traffic other than in the car park area, where care should be taken.  There may be occasional cyclists and dog walkers on the paths in the park, and competitors need to be aware of this.

If lost - return to the museum car park in the centre of the park.

Responsibility - CLOK is organising this schools competition as specialist advisors, and it remains the responsibility of the supervising teachers to be familiar with the risk analysis, to ensure discipline, to obtain parental consent forms and to retain responsibility for the safety and well-being of the competitors under their care.  The event is registered with the National Governing Body and as such has third party insurance cover, but the safety of your competitors remains your responsibility.
Finally: The team of CLOK volunteers look forward to welcoming you to the third event of the 2004/05 league at Preston Park.  Remember to call Mike in advance with your expected numbers on each course as soon as you can (01287-624521).

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